Woman Says Starbuck’s Has a Screw Loose

STOCKTON, Calif. (CN) – A woman with a prosthetic leg sued Starbucks, claiming its employees wouldn’t let her use a restroom to fix a loose screw unless she bought something first.

Janet Marx says at least one employee at the Stockton Starbuck’s knew her as a regular customer when she entered on Sept. 20, to repair her prosthetic leg. As she made her way to the privacy of the restroom, Marx says, one of the two clerks on duty told her she could not use the restroom without buying something. “The clerk also said, ‘I can’t be nice to anyone unless they purchase an item,'” according to the complaint in San Joaquin County Court. Marx, stunned, said she turned to the other clerk on duty, who knew her and knew of her disability, but he responded that there was nothing he could do. “During this conversation, the plaintiff was holding the prosthetic leg up to prevent it from dropping,” Marx says in the complaint. “Mortified and ashamed, plaintiff ordered two beverages and the clerk permitted the plaintiff to use the bathroom. Plaintiff has seen other patrons use the bathroom without first making a purchase.” Marx seeks statutory damages for disability discrimination, costs and attorneys fees. She is represented by Warren Osgood of Stockton.